Speaker, Ogun State House of Assembly, Dr. Suraj Adekunbi, in this interview with Dare Odufowokan, Assistant Editor, gave reasons why incumbent governor of the state, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, is determined to see his successor coming from the western senatorial district of the state. The lawmaker also assured that his party, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), will win the 2019 general elections in the state.
IT is a new year and Nigerians are expecting the APC government to deliver on more of its electoral promises. What do you have to say on this?
I share in the expectations of Nigerians just as I have confidence in the APC government to deliver on its promises as we come to a new year. I am optimistic because the federal government has assured us that all sectors will witness government intervention and support this year, in order to further consolidate the improving state of the economy. I am trusting Mr. President and his team to fulfill that promise.
Similarly, the Federal Government, according to what we were told by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, sees 2018 as a year of consolidation of the economic recovery, and the gains from improved macroeconomic management, and the extensive investments made in agriculture, infrastructure and the business environment. We are diversifying our options in power supply.
He promised that government will energize industrial clusters the more in the new year. He explained that the project involves providing power in existing small business clusters, providing independent power in certain markets like the Ariaria Market in Abia State, the Somolu Printing Community in Lagos State, the Muhammadu Abubakar Rimi (Sabon Gari) Market in Kano State. This is to guarantee constant supply for the business communities. These are bold steps that are capable of turning things around.
And we have been assured again that the 2018 budget has covered these things and many more, including job creation and other developmental programs. So, Nigerians should be optimistic in the new year that more dividends of democracy will be delivered. Our party is a party of the people. We are always thinking about how best to improve the lives of Nigerians who voted for us against all odds in 2015.
Coming to Ogun State, how would you rate Governor Amosun’s efforts so far?
The government in Ogun state is another performing APC administration. Governor Ibikunle Amosun, being a great party man and grassroots politician, is delivering on his promises to the people and he will not relent in the new year. I have said it several times that the basic responsibility of any people-oriented government is in the areas of security and welfare.
The welfare of the people is one thing our Governor is never willing to compromise. He has a large heart and he has great dream about how Ogun statue can be better administered. And when you look at Ogun State, you will agree with me that we have really done well. Concerning security here in Ogun State, our story has really changed and the people can attest to this. The security operatives can attest to this.
And talking about welfare, I make bold to say in this dispensation, we are one of the states to talk about positively. Governor Amosun never jokes with the welfare of the people and this is why Ogun is known for policies that positively impact on the lives of our people. In the area of salaries and wages of workers, I believe that Ogun State is one of the states that are faring well across the country today.
We all know how difficult things are now, but the Amosun administration has put the peoples’ welfare over and above any other consideration. At a time when many states are groaning and collapsing under the heavy burden of wages and other overheads, our Governor is not only paying salaries, he is also all over the state putting up infrastructures and edifices befitting of the status of our state.
And if the talk is about infrastructural development, you will see that we have actually kept the tempo and sustained what we started like a joke in our first term. So, I am sure he will do more in 2018. Like we did in the first term, the Amosun-led APC government has continued the rebuilding mission it started in 2011. We have assured the people that we will not rest on our oars in rebuilding Ogun State and we are keeping to the promises made.
But some people says the Amosun administration has not lived up to expectation. Do you think otherwise?
I strongly think otherwise. And I am in a position to say this because I am a part and parcel of the administration. I can boldly say this administration is the very best in Ogun state. But people will always talk. No matter how well a governor performs, we will see people who will see nothing good in his effort. And don’t forget that we are already in electoral season. Some of those talking are defeated politicians.
As politicians too, we expect the opposition to speak like that. Or what do you expect them to say? Twice, Amosun has defeated them in elections here in Ogun state. Twice, the people have spoken that they prefer us to them. They are defeated and pained. And as another election approaches, they want to call a good dog a bad name in other to be able to hang it.
But PDP says the people have rejected your party for failing to perform.
The same PDP is claiming Buhari has not done anything at the centre. They say Nigerians will reject APC in 2019, but I say Buhari and APC are building institutions for national development. People can talk, people can boast, but the voters know what they want and how to get it. In Ogun State, the APC has delivered on our promises to the people and the people are ready to vote us back into office anytime.
And at the federal level, APC is just two or three years in the saddle and, already, we are surpassing a party that spent almost two decades in charge. I am not moved by their threats. The truth of the matter is that as an aspirant for the position of governor who has been going round all nooks and crannies of the state to see things for myself so that when the time to ask for the people’s votes comes, I will know what to tell them, I can tell you that our people are happy with the APC as a party.
Yes, the expectations of the people remain very high, but they also admit that the APC has tried in meeting some of these expectations. What is left to be done is to ensure that after 2019, we consolidate on the gains of the current administration. And I strongly believe I am the man who can do that, having served with Amosun since 2015.
You are from Yewa, do you really think the zone will get the governorship in 2019?
I believe in the Yewa agenda. Even governor Amosun has openly endorsed the Yewa agenda. As a father to all, why do you think he did that? It is because he wants to promote equity and fairness. He is one man who believes in justice and will do anything to promote integration and mutual co-habitation. He has seen the need for all parts of the state to get a sense of belonging and he is working towards that.
However, I want to repeat my constant plea to our brothers and sisters in Ogun East and Ogun central; they must please support the aspiration of Ogun west, that’s Yewa to produce the next governor of the state in 2019. Without them, there is no Yewa agenda. We cannot lay claim to the governorship simply on the basis of zoning. No, rather, we will like to appeal to our brothers and sisters to graciously give us the opportunity to taste what they have tasted severally in the past.
It is only when we make them see the need to support us that the agenda will move smoothly and successfully. It is one of the things we need to do for us to continue to live as brothers and sisters and in peace. It is one of the things we need to do to create the much needed impression that all zones in the state are equal partners and as such will have the opportunity of aspiring for any office in the state. It is something we need to do to create a balance in the socio-political trajectory of our dear state.
Like the governor said, every part of the state is entitled to claim the slot. Every indigene of Ogun state is qualified to be governor. But he said we can do ‘give and take’ in the interest of unity and progress. That is exactly what I feel. So, I want to beg our people from east and central senatorial zones to make this rare sacrifice for us in the interest of brotherly love.
You are one of the front runners in the governorship race. How will you describe your chances?
I shouldn’t be the one to answer this question because I shouldn’t be blowing my own trumpet. But this is politics and it is a game of numbers. In politics, you cannot claim what you don’t have because if you do, the result will expose you as a liar. We are gradually building a movement that will deliver the ticket and then the governorship to us. Nobody can build something on nothing. I have record speaking for me.
I am not new to the people. They have seen what I have done in the past seven or so years and many people are pleased with the handling of the House of Assembly. A good number are appreciating the synergy we created between the executive and the legislature. Others are happy that we protected the interest of the people very well since the inception of this government as the elected representatives of the people in the current administration.
But why do you think Ogun people will entrust you with their destiny as Governor?
The people have seen that passion and readiness in me to serve. They have openly appreciated the selflessness we bring to bear on governance and they are asking for more. This is why I usually say that my quest for the governorship is beyond personal ambition. It is actually hinged on what the people of the state desire. I have listened to many people and I am convinced that the best thing I can do now is to offer myself for the task of consolidating the many efforts and gains of the current administration.
As the Speaker of the House of Assembly, with the support of my distinguished colleagues, I have demonstrated that zeal to always put Ogun first. We are known for always considering the interest of the state over and above all things in taking decisions since we got on board. It is this zeal and passion that went before us such that when we met the people, it was easy to tell them what we intend to do. They already have fair idea of who we are and what we have done.
The consultations continue; the people have the decision to make. We have the talking to do and we are doing that. My approach to the whole thing is that we should come out and tell the people of the state what we want to do as well as what we have done before. Ogun people are very sophisticated and intelligent. They are not the type of voters you can bamboozle with grammar or any other form of propaganda. We will continue to engage our people across the state on our desire. We are grateful to our leader and mentor, Governor Ibikunle Amosun, for the fatherly role he is playing.
